We all fear it deep down inside. We all want our kid to be the tough "guy" that no kid wants to mess with. We want our child to be confident in everything he/she does. Let's face it though, that never happens. Here is the scenario for you. Your child comes home from school being quiet wanting to avoid you. You ask him/her how their day was. Suddenly you get the one response you never want to hear. "I had a bad day because so and so was picking on me. According to a recent study a website on bullying did, they found 23 percent of elementary school children reported being bullied 1 to 3 times a month. As a parent you want to handle this in the best way possible, but you can't help feeling angry that someone dare pick on your child.
Now we all know the classic thing to do would be to tell your teacher, parent, etc. I believe however that this is only running away from the problem, and having somebody else fight your battle for you. Now I am not saying that talking to someone about is the wrong path, but I have a better solution for your child as to eliminate the problem permanently. My way of handling it would be to place my child in martial arts. Now again I am not suggesting teaching your kids how to fight so they can go beat up their bully. I am suggesting your child to do quite the opposite. I suggest placing your child in martial arts for the sole purpose of boosting their own confidence.
One of the main reasons a child is placed into some form of martial arts is because they lack the confidence to do more then just stand up to a bully. No martial art on this planet has the goal of teaching a student so they can go out and beat up another human being. Their overall goal is to enrich you with the knowledge to be able to defend yourself if need be. When you build confidence you start to act, walk, talk, and look different. People will start to notice a positive change in your child. Now instead of having a shy, negative child you now have a social child who walks around with his shoulders back everywhere he goes.
If you still are not convinced that taking a martial art can overcome bullies then you my friend should reread this article. I myself dealt with bullies in middle school, and was picked on constantly. I also was not a small child. As soon as I started taking karate after a couple of months people starting leaving me alone, but not because I could hurt them, but because they respected me. If you earn someone's respect then you earn their friendship.
In the Richmond, Virginia area their are many facilities that offer that guidance such as Total Victory MMA & Crossfit, where you can join ongoing classes or even get one-on-one personalized training, to achieve a better fitness level and better quality of life.
David M. Womack
Coach Womack's Martial Arts Background:
Coach Womack currently teaches & trains at Total Victory MMA & CrossFit - Home of the 30 Day FREE Trial! 9562 Woodman Rd.
Richmond, VA 23228
804-433-3572
http://www.totalvictorymma.com/crossfit-ricmond/